Hungarian Studies Newsletter, 1986 (14. évfolyam, 47-50. szám)

1986 / 49. szám

TRANSLATION OF MEDIEVAL LAWS OF HUNGARY: CALL FOR DONATIONS

The first volume of a major project that will include the publication of a newly established (Latin) text and an annotated English translation of all medieval laws (decreta) of the Kingdom of Hungary is about to leave the press. It contains the laws issued from the beginning of the Kingdom to the end of the Árpád dynasty (1000-1301). Work on the second and third volumes (1301-1457 and 1458-1490) is in progress by a team of scholars headed by profs. James Ross Sweeney and Leslie S. Domonkos, as well as by such specialists as J. Bak, I. Bard, G. Érszegi, and E. Fügedi. The research for the first volume was not supported by any public funds. On the basis of its quality and the plans for the series as a whole, the National Endowment for the Humanities has now granted a modest sum for honoraria and expenses. However, the most promising financing would come from a Treasury Matching Fund, in which the U.S. Government would match donations to this project on a dollar for dollar basis. So far, up to $5,000 have been offered by the NEH in this form for the academic year 1986-1987.

The American Hungarian Foundation is pleased to designate donations to this enterprise and calls on readers to assist in presenting to an international public this valuable series. Tax deductable donations should be sent to the American Hungarian Foundation. The editors orthe publisher (C. Schlacks, Jr., California) will express their gratitude to donors making contributions of $200 or more by sending complimentary copies of volumes of Decreta Regni Mediaevatis Hungáriáé, as they appear.

DISSERTATIONS*

“The Budapest School: A Post-Marxian Defense of the Mixed Economy.” Brown, Douglas (Colorado St. U., 1985). 277 pages, microfilm and xerox no. DA 85227812.

This study examines the thought of the Budapest School, maintained by agroup of formerstudents of Georg Lukács. It argues that the unity of theme of their work is a theoretical defense of a certain type of mixed economy, referred to as “radical democracy.” The School’s model is the result of their critique of both industrial capitalism and existing socialism. Radical democracy is a mixed economy of planning and markets as well as private and public ownership. The argument for a radical democracy is ultimately derived from the Marxian tradition, but because the Budapest School has founded its defense on a critique of Marx, the approach is considered post-Marxian. The study presents a critique of Soviet society, and argues that it represents historic regression relative to industrial capitalism and the individual rich. In conclusion, the author argues that a comprehensive set of reforms are available that would transform the Western capitalist mixed economies into radical democratic mixed economies. O

Citrom, Leslie (Mississippi St. U., 1985). “Theory and Practice in Building Socialism: The Case of Hungary.” 237

pages. Microfilm and xerox no. DA 8527717.

This study attempts to describe some of the differences between significant Marxist tenets as they appear in theory

‘Abstracts are usually based on those published in Dissertation Abstracts International. Microfilm and xerox copies of the original full dissertation may be obtained, when indicated, from Xerox University Microfilm 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106. When ordering, use the number shown.

and the reality when implimented in practice. The author argues that, at the beginning of the 20th century, serious needs for economic change appeared in underdeveloped countries and some intellectual revolutionaries, following Marxist teachings, interpreted these needs for change as a mandate to create a socialist society. As the process of building socialism progressed, it became obvious that the economic programs presented by the Communist Parties as pathways to socialism failed to realize these lofty ideals and became vehicles of a new totalitarian type of subservience of the masses. Later, the Russian experiment after World War I was replicated in East Central Europe at the end of World War II. Among all the East Central European countries experimenting with socialism, Hungary was chosen as the subject of this study, because it presented the clearest example of mass revolt against those realities which were pictured to them as a socialist society. Hungary exemplified the widest swing from the most inveterate Stalinism to the most liberal approach in this process of economic change. O

Birkas, Maria (U. of California, Los Angeles, 1985) “Access to Culture as a Public Service in Hungary: 1948-1978.” 266 pages. Microfilm and xerox no. DA8603932.

This study explains the evolution of spatial planning in Hungary. It analyzes the state as the primary structural agent of cultural production. The author investigates the effectiveness of state planning in achieving cultural and societal policy objectives and evaluates the utility of spatial cultural planning strategies. “Culture is defined as the socially created and institutionalized meanings and symbols through which women and men communicate.” One fourth of the study argues for an understanding of the historical specificity of existing socialism and of the state’s role in socialist society. It introduces and defends a theoretical framework for explaining the dominant class position of intellectuals in socialist societies involving the structural and spatial relationship of the intelligentsia to culture. Also investigated is the relationship of the intelligentsia to the social division of labor. The development of state cultural policies in terms of the role of policy in the reproduction of the social and spatial division of labor conclude the study.

ARTICLES AND PAPERS

Balassa, Bela, The ‘New Growth Path’ in Hungary. Banca Nazionaledel Lavoro Quarterly Review 155 (December 1985) 347-372.

This study analyzes changes in economic policies in Hungary between 1978-1984. “The impetus for policy changes was provided by Hungary’s growing indebtedness, with its deficit reaching $1.2 billion in 1978, the equivalent to 6.7 percent of the gross domestic product.” The paper shows that Hungary succeeded in transforming a deficit in convertible currency trade into a surplus during the period. “But, this involved the adoption of deflationary policies, bearing chiefly on investment activity, as well as import controls, while Hungary lost export market shares and the rate of economic growth averaged only 1.8 percent a year." Changes introduced in 1985, in particular the establishment of enterprise councils, changes in the tax system, the new wage regulations, and the shift away from the so-called competitive price scheme, represent important new reform efforts. Further

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